24th April 2009
Fur Coat No Knickers
In Summer 2008 Laura Thomas (Theatre
Design, 2002) talked to Connect about her business venture in the
West End.
Since graduating Laura Thomas has worked on
several West End shows including Bad Girls the Musical, Dumb
Waiter and Daddy Cool as well as the film Hippy
Hippy Shake, the McCains’ oven chips most recent
(Oliver spoof) advert and several Royal Shakespeare
Company and National Theatre productions. But, it was while working
as a Costume Supervisor Assistant for the Lion King
production in London that Laura met Emma Cascarina and together
they realised there was a need for a specialist costume shop in the
West End theatre district. “We came to realise there was a hole
in the market as it was really difficult to traipse across London
to search for and find the bits and pieces we needed for the
production. There was a need for a one stop shop.”
Laura and Emma are very keen to keep their
merchandise of the highest quality, sourcing all goods themselves.
“Emma and I have similar skills, ideas and tastes; while one of
us is in the shop the other is out buying in the UK, Europe or even
America
whilst keeping
an eye on EBAY as well.”
Although theatre production forms the shop’s
largest target market, Laura and Emma also cater for the vintage
bridal market. “It is really fun being able to kit everybody
out; the bride and the groom and the rest of the wedding
party.”
With an eye on the market and good
communication skills Laura and Emma hope the store is here to stay
“We completely intend to keep the standard up, keep the shop
going, and get bigger!”
Fur Coat No Knickers is still going
strong. Three of their dresses recently featured on the catwalk at
the National Wedding Show 2009 and their reputation is spreading
fast with numerous mentions in leading wedding and fashion
magazines. For more information on their shop visit
www.furcoatnoknickers.co.uk